Philadelphia is called “The City of Brotherly Love”, and it’s certainly a great city to move to. This city was founded in 1682 by William Penn to be the capital of his newly established colony of Pennsylvania, and it’s also the home of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. It was even the nation’s capital in the early years, and it’s naval yard on the south side of town is still known as the “Arsenal of Democracy” for the role it played in winning both world wars. Today, Philadelphia is Pennsylvania’s largest city and America’s fifth-largest with a population of over 1,550,000.
Philadelphia’s points of interest and attractions are as diverse as the city itself. The most popular attractions are those that tell America’s story from Independence Hall to the Liberty Bell, the First Bank of the United States, and the homes of Betsy Ross and Thaddeus Kosciuszko. Other great places include the home of Edgar Allen Poe and the Franklin Institute, which is home to four major museums including the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Mütter Museum. The first zoo in the United States is still open on the banks of the Schuylkill River, and Fairmount Park also runs along the Schuylkill. It is the largest landscaped urban park in the world with over 9,000 acres of space dotted by beautiful statues and fountains.
Philadelphia has a vast array of shopping options. Center City and Logan Square both have fantastic shops and galleries on Chestnut and Market Streets, and Columbus Boulevard near the Navy Yard has a large selection of stores to enjoy. One of the best markets in America is the Reading Terminal Market on the corner of 12th and Market, where they have numerous vendors offering specialty foods and souvenirs for tourists. And of course, Philadelphia wouldn’t be the same without the classic cheese steak rivalry between Pat’s and Geno’s in South Philly. Philadelphia draws in many tourists every year, but its residents are what keep it alive and give the city its rich culture.
